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Matildas sign with leading US women's team

Three Matildas will be heading to the US to further their club careers and a possible contract when the new US Women’s Professional Soccer League starts in 2009, by signing for USL W-League 1st Division side Pali Blues Soccer Club.

Three Matildas will be heading to the US to further their club careers and a possible contract when the new US Women-s Professional Soccer League starts in 2009, by signing for USL W-League 1st Division side Pali Blues Soccer Club.

Midfielder Collette McCallum, plus forwards Sarah Walsh and Caitlin Munoz are set to play for the Blues this summer in their inaugural season in the USL W-League. The club is based at Pacific Palisades in California.

All three are experienced international players and were part of Australia-s terrific FIFA Women-s World Cup run in China last year.

Pali Blues officials were ecstatic with the signings, as the new expansion team looks to make a splash in the top women-s competition within the US.

"With everything happening in the Blues organization, I cannot be more excited,” Blues owner Ali Mansouri commented. “We have already begun training and have a quality championship under our belt. To finalize these three world class players is just monumental for our first year franchise."

Blues head coach Charlie Naimo reiterated that excitement.

"I cannot say enough about what this means to our franchise and the league itself,” Naimo stated. “The Australian National Team had a breakout performance in this past summer-s World Cup, and the Blues are honored to have three of their best performers."

"The trio of Collette, Walshy and Caitlin is unique in its on-field diversity,” Naimo continued. “Collette is one of the best playmakers in the world, Caitlin can play underneath the forward line or as a target while Walshy is a very busy and dangerous player that can cause all kinds of problems. She can change a defense with her pace alone."

The Pali Blues Soccer Club will play the first game of their inaugural USL W-League season on the road against the Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, May 10. The following weekend, the Blues will play their inaugural home contest at the “Stadium by the Sea” when they host the Los Angeles Legends on Saturday, May 17.